Pretty sure this is Geminaria, but do you know species? - Geminaria canalis

Moved

… Hartmut Wisch, 30 May, 2007 - 12:10pm

Geminaria canalis

it is. I just posted my not so good photo of a female. Note also the dark, horizontal dividing line on the eye (also visible in the photo of a male here : 1 ).
Regarding the "eyes" on the back: scutellum is divided by a cleft (sulcus), and the two shiny, strongly convex parts reflect light.

… Hartmut Wisch, 30 May, 2007 - 12:09pm

So, no headlights, but reflectors.

Thanks for the ID, info and move. I think I saw another one on the same flower on Sunday. It was there, then gone! Glad you found a female to shoot.

… Ron Hemberger, 30 May, 2007 - 6:46pm

The flower

is Camissonia , most likely bistorta (Southern Suncup), Onagraceae (Evening Primrose family).

… Hartmut Wisch, 27 May, 2007 - 10:23am

Reality Check: Bee Fly Photo Ops

Almost all of mine are shot along trails, typically on or over sand. Aren't most of yours on flowers? (I'm thinking we have a very different approach to shooting these critters.)

… Ron Hemberger, 27 May, 2007 - 1:38pm

Definitely Geminaria,

and a female, possibly canalis . Great that you found this! Though I saw at least one female, I didn't get any good shots. Would be interesting to get a specimen for a closer look. May yet

… Hartmut Wisch, 27 May, 2007 - 12:26am

Really tiny.

This is the second beefly I've seen this year; both were at Riley and found within a few feet of each other. I almost missed this one, way down low on a small flower, and was surprised at how tiny it was. My previous evaluation of size was based on your excellent photo, which literally made it look larger than life!

… Ron Hemberger, 27 May, 2007 - 7:36am

Awesome pic!

… Martin Hauser, 26 May, 2007 - 4:28pm

Thanks, Martin

These are my second batch of beefly photos with a new 10MP camera and 180mm macro with 1.4x teleconverter, which seems to be the perfect combination.

… Ron Hemberger, 26 May, 2007 - 7:35pm